Ice-pick



(No Model.)

- G. W. TOPPINCT.

' ICE PICK.

No. 474,879. Patented May 17, 1892.

VI 1117f 1 7: Jinfmin r;

NITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. TOPPING, OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA.

I C E Pl K SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,879,dated May 17, 1892.

Application filed November 30, 1891. Serialll'o. 413,494. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. TOPPING, a citizen of the United States,residing at San Mateo, in the county of San Mateo and State ofCalifornia, have invented an Improved Ice- Pick, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ice-picks of the kind ordescription that have a sliding weight or hammer-block to give the blow;and it consists in the described construction and combination of partsproducing a cheap, simple, and effective tool, as hereinafter explained, and pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification,represent in Figure 1 the tool in operation. Figs. 2, 3, and 4: show theseparate parts in detail. Fig. 5 is a reversed plan or bottom view ofthe base of the frame.

A indicates the frame comprising parallel guides for the sliding hammer, a spring-socket for the pick-point, and a base or rest for the toolupon the block of ice.

B is the pick-point, and C the sliding hammer.

I proceed to form the frame by bending a piece of wire upon itself toproduce the parallel guide-wires a a and then coiling a portion near oneend around a mandrel to produce the spring socket a The mandrel used forthis purpose should be about the same thickness as the rod of which thepickpoint B is made, so that the last-mentioned part shall fit and slideor move freely in the coiled part of as a socket. The remainder of, thewire at that end is finally bent into the form or shape clearly shown inFigs. 1, 2, and 5, producing the divergent legs or four points a a forthe base. These points should be in the same horizontal plane and shouldbe about equidistant from the socket a which should be directly over thecenter of the base. The other end of the Wire is bent around the coilsat about the middle and is secured by taking a complete turn around thesocket.

The pick-point B is a short rod tapered at the bottom and flattened onthe top end. It

is set through the spring-socket and is held in place by cross-pins cl(Z, one fixed through the rod above the socket. and the other through itbelow the socket at suitable distance apart to afford longitudinalmovement or play of the rod.

The sliding hammer is a block of metal with longitudinal grooves o inthe sides to let in the guide-rods a a and with a boss or head 011 thebottom to contact with the end of the pick-point. The block is readilyslipped into place after the frame is finished by spreading apart therods a o. sutficiently to let in the block.

As thusconstructed, the tool can be cheaply and readily made from asingle piece of wire. The hammenblock can be produced at small cost,either of cast or wrought metal, While the point B, which is the partmost subject to wear or injury, can be easily renewed as often asrequired. The base or feet on the bottom of the frame should be spreadapart, as shown, in order to rest on the block of ice at points beyondthe line of the pick-point, and in this position around the point andover the surface of the ice it serves to confine the pieces of ice asthey are broken off by the pickpoint and prevents them from flying off.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Theherein-described ice-pick, consisting of the frame A, producedfrom a single piece of wire having the springcoil socket to the parallelguides for the sliding hammer, and the divergent base and support at thefoot of the frame, the pick-point loosely confined in the spring-socketand the sliding hammer confined between butsliding freely upon theguides, as set forth.

2. In an ice-pick of the kind or description having a sliding hammer,the frame A, composed of the parallel hammer guides, the spring-coilsocket of for the pick-point, and the base onsupport below the socket,adapted to rest on the, block of ice at points around the line of actionof the pick-point and to confine the pieces of ice as they are split orbroken from the block, as herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereuntoset my hand andseal.

GEORGE W. TOPPING.

